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Read Success – The Orbiter Advantage

Potential Problems with mat/ramp systems:

•  Complicated manual cable connections are time consuming and tedious to set up. Cables are delicate and fray and can become de-tuned with repeated use. Unlike Orbiter systems where the cables are fixed in place and last at least three times as long.
• Mats are heavy, and tend to get dirty and difficult to clean. Typically they last for 2-4 years before you need a new one. They are such a tripping hazard that many timers “nail” the mats down into asphalt and concrete. This not only damage the ground below but can be expensive in repairing the the damages.
• When more than one row of mats are used there is a fuzzy finish. This is because one does not know for sure which mat picked up a right leg or left leg shoe tag detection. This leads to variance in results that may not be accurate.
• Venues with limited set up time may have issues getting mat systems to set up in the time allotted.

Overhead Structures with mounted antennas must be 15 and 1/2 feet high by 20 feet to meet international fire code.

• With overhead structures, there is the liability and danger to it. High wind is an issue in some municipalities. In Myrtle Beach, SC for example, on live news the overhead timing structure was blown down for all to see. In Steilacoom, WA, a race was delayed. This is because of the Fire Marshall required the overhead timing structure moved off the roadway prior to the race.
• Setting up the complicated structure gets tedious very quickly. There are up to 20 cable connections that must be manually put together, and then again undo when they are taken down.
• The time detector control box is obsolete, not needed and only adds unnecessary expense.
• Cold weather effects on fingers and hands makes building the overhead structure for each event painful.
• Set up time is extensive and there may be issues of getting the system set up on time.

Advantages of the Orbiter Timing System:

• Each Orbiter is it’s own patented stand-alone system that supports other Orbiter in the area. On a typical large race there are three Orbiters providing true redundancy. It’s all calibrated to detect the tag on the same start/ finish line. This ensures time accuracy and greater power to read tags. 
• Our antennas a phased detected and can read a tag in any orientation. This is unlike those of many antennas that are linear polarized.
• Orbiter sets up in 3 minutes with no cables and is 100% wireless. This means the system may be set up without a prior site survey. This saves money with less travel concerns.
• Orbiter is the only system that’s designed for extreme weather from the start. No rain shielding is needed and proven in extreme high shock environments. Orbiters have been used in tropical, desert, and arctic environments all over the world. 
• Distance from the chip to the antenna can be up to 60 feet.
• Battery operated with 8 hour battery life depending on model. Extended life available with AC power option, and battery recharger built in with power indicator light.  
• 24 volt battery operation means extended read ranges.
• Nonvolatile memory so your race is safe even with loss of power.
• The Orbiter Sling Reader is versatile, powerful, and able to read tags in a crowded close in environment as well as at 20 ft. of distance. Unlike handhelds, the SLING is a full RFID reader the same as the larger SPIRE both operate with 24 volts of power.
• Used in both large (30,000 person) and (85 person) small races. This is an advantage as most races are typically less than 500 people. Yet Orbiter can beat that amount by timing up to thousands of people. The rule of thumb is that Orbiter uses the same number of readers needed with other systems for Marathons. The benefit is that Orbiter readers and tags are dramatically less expensive than the total cost of mat systems.
• These patents are not pending and thus not subject to question. The Orbiter operates uniquely because each system is autonomous from the other. Yet they communicate with each other such that they complement each other in a powerful way. This means that more than one detector operates effectively with others as one, or separately depending on the need. Additionally, Orbiter uses Epoch Time Method (day, month, year) rather than Time Differential Method (local time zone Start / Finish). This ensures that there’s a history of tag detects over weeks and months that can be gained easily. This also allows timing events concurrently all around the world.
• In addition, Orbiter tags are physically different. This allows you to know which tags are specialized for which, making it clear there’s no mix-ups.